The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The Falcons were founded on June 30, 1965, and joined the NFL in 1966 as an expansion team, after the NFL offered then-owner Rankin Smith a franchise to keep him from joining the rival American Football League (AFL).
Francis Asbury Tarkenton, nicknamed "the Scrambler", is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. He is widely regarded as the first great dual-threat quarterback in the NFL. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he was recognized as a twice first-team All-SEC, and was selected by the Vikings in the third round of the 1961 NFL draft. After retiring from football, he became a media personality and computer software executive.
Roland Owen (Ron) McDole is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Edward Leon Budde was an American professional football guard. He played his entire career for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL).
Lawrence Frank Wilson was an American professional football safety who played with the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he played his entire 13-year career with the Cardinals and remained on the team's payroll until 2003, long after the team moved to Phoenix in the 1988 season.
Clarence McKay "Ace" Parker was an American football and baseball player and coach. He played professional football as a quarterback, tailback and safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1937–1941) and the Boston Yanks (1945) and in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the New York Yankees. He was an All-American selection at Duke University in 1936. Parker also played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) during 1936 and 1937 with the Philadelphia Athletics. He served as the head baseball coach at Duke from 1953 to 1966. Parker was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1955 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972.
Richard J. Barwegen was an American professional football player who was an offensive lineman for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected to four Pro Bowls during his career. He is one of only four members of the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team to not be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Professional Football Researchers Association named Barwegan to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2008.
Robert Douglas Johnson is an American former football center who played for 12 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, first in the American Football League (AFL), and then in the National Football League (NFL). He was the Bengals first-ever draft selection when he was chosen with the second overall pick in the 1968 NFL/AFL draft.
Earl Franklin Leggett was an American professional football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, and New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU). He was also an assistant coach for various teams.
Alvin Henry Haymond was an American football defensive back who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was primarily known as a punt and kickoff returner.
Otis TaylorJr. was an American professional football wide receiver who played in the American Football League (AFL). He played college football for the Prairie View A&M Panthers and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 1965 AFL draft. He was also selected in the 15th round of the 1965 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, but he chose to play in the AFL for the Chiefs where he would spend his entire career.
Jeffrey Allen Carlson is an American former professional football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played three seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots. He previously had played for Weber State University and Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, California.
The 1966 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State College during the 1966 NCAA University Division football season.
Tom Kennedy was an American football quarterback. He played for the New York Giants in 1966.
